100 Women We Love: Janel McCarville

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photo by Sopjia Hantzes

Janel McCarville

One of the few openly lesbian professional basketball players in the WNBA, Janel McCarville plays center for the Minnesota Lynx. The Wisconsin native began her professional career as a number-one draft pick with the Charlotte Sting in 2005, and later played with the New York Liberty. After facing an injury, she was named the most improved player in the 2007 season and enjoyed steady success on and off the court ever since. “I don’t think I chose basketball; more like basketball chose me,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed working on improving through the years and feel lucky for the opportunities I’ve had.” McCarville was a member of the U.S. team that won a silver medal in the 2003 Pan American games in the Dominican Republic; with Spartak Moscow’s women’s b-ball team, she won the EuroLeague title. Standing 6’2”, the talented center also is outspoken about her personal life. Asked if being a lesbian has hindered her success in the pro-sports world, she responds, “Not in the least! As long as you come to work on a daily basis and do your job, people have to respect you and your work ethic.” –NHM